Knights’ Tournaments

Knights’ Tournaments

Great Medieval Spectacle
30 July – 10 August 2008

Knights’ Tournaments on the Helvetiaplatz

From 30 July to 10 August the square in front of the Historisches Museum in Bern is being transformed into a gloriously colourful medieval tiltyard with grandstand for 1200 spectators. What will take place here twice daily (at 2.30 and 7.00 pm), however, is no usual knights’ tournament, but a real ‘pas d’armes’, a contest of the kind that was held to mark Charles the Bold of Burgundy’s marriage with Margaret of York in Bruges in 1468. In a ‘pas d’armes’ knights compete against each other in armed combat, both on foot and on horseback, over several days.

 

England’s best tournament riders will now re-create just such a ‘pas d’armes’ on Bern’s Helvetiaplatz over a ten-day period. Even before the tournament itself gets underway in the tiltyard on the Helvetiaplatz visitors will be able to follow tournament preparations in the Museum Park (roughly one hour before the start of each performance).

Company of Saynt George

Company of Saynt George

 

Company of Saynt George

 

Burgundian Army Camp in the Museum Park

The tournaments will be further complemented by the Company of Saynt George, a living history group that will re-enact what military camp life was like under Charles the Bold in a vivid and historically authentic way throughout the day in the Museum Park.

 

Music, historic arts and crafts and children’s attractions, as well as food and drink, will also be laid on during the show. And the visit to the Museum including the Exhibition on Charles the Bold is also comprised in the combined ticket for the Spectacle.

 

Tournament dates and timetable

  • 30 July to 10 August 2008 daily (except Monday).
  • Open-air performances at 2.30 and 7.00 pm in the tiltyard in front of the Museum.
  • Each performance lasts for roughly 60 minutes. Tournament preparations can be viewed in the Museum Park roughly one hour before the start of the performance.
  • Performances will take place regardless of weather.

 

Prices

Combined Ticket for the Knights’ Tournament inclusive of admission to Schlosspark and Museum
Day Pass: adults CHF 48.–
Day Pass: children 6-16 CHF 24.–
Families (3-4 pers., max 2 adults) CHF 30.–/per. pers.

 

Admission to Schlosspark and Museum alone (no pre-booking)
Day Pass: adults CHF 36.–
Day Pass: children 6-16 CHF 18.–
Families (max 4 pers., max 2 adults) CHF 75.–

 

Ticket Pre-Booking

www.inszene.ch or Tel. 0900 92 91 90 (CHF 1.11/min.)
Ticket Box Historisches Museum Bern
Further Advance Booking Outlets

 

Special opening hours during the Spectacle

Exhibition Charles the Bold Tues–Sun 10.00–20.00h
Schlosspark Tues-Sun 10.00–19.00h
Knights’ Tavern in the Museum Courtyard Tues-Sun 11.00–19.00h
Bistro Steinhalle Tues-Sun 10.00–23.30h